Coaching people with different learning styles can be a rewarding but challenging task. As a business coach, you want to help your clients achieve their goals, but you also need to adapt to their preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. How can you do that effectively? Here are some tips to help you coach people with different learning styles.
The first step is to identify your client's learning style. There are many models and frameworks to categorize learning styles, but one of the most common ones is the VARK model, which stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. You can use a questionnaire, observation, or feedback to determine which mode of learning your client prefers or responds to best. For example, visual learners like to see diagrams, charts, or images; auditory learners like to hear explanations, stories, or podcasts; reading/writing learners like to read texts, articles, or notes; and kinesthetic learners like to do hands-on activities, experiments, or simulations.
One thing I find helpful is clear understanding of each individual I want to support. Use of images, videos and hands on experience have been major learning styles I promote. Then, I follow up on progress. Did she watch the video? What 3 points do you plan to input in your action plans going forward? Also time taken to share learnings should not exceed 48hours.
Once you know your client's learning style, you can customize your coaching approach accordingly. For example, if your client is a visual learner, you can use visual aids, such as slides, graphs, or videos, to illustrate your points, or ask them to draw or sketch their ideas. If your client is an auditory learner, you can use verbal cues, such as questions, summaries, or analogies, to reinforce your message, or ask them to repeat or paraphrase what they learned. If your client is a reading/writing learner, you can provide them with written materials, such as articles, reports, or worksheets, to review or complete, or ask them to write down their goals, actions, or reflections. If your client is a kinesthetic learner, you can involve them in interactive activities, such as role-plays, games, or exercises, to practice or apply their skills, or ask them to demonstrate or show what they did.
These are truly valuable contributions. I completely support the idea to ask learners to write their goals and actions to support those goals. It’s a way of ensuring they own their dreams and are motivated to work to achieve them. Also repeating what is learnt as a way of reinforcing your message is another hit point I found valuable. True, every individual is unique and can learn in their own unique way. The drive is to get them interested in learning and to execute agreed actions.
While it is important to tailor your coaching methods to your client's learning style, it is also important to balance them with other methods that can enhance their learning. Research shows that using multiple modes of learning can improve retention, comprehension, and transfer of knowledge. Therefore, you should not rely on one single method, but rather mix and match different methods that suit your client's needs, goals, and context. For example, you can combine visual and auditory methods by showing a video and then discussing it; you can combine reading/writing and kinesthetic methods by giving a worksheet and then asking them to act out a scenario; you can combine auditory and kinesthetic methods by explaining a concept and then asking them to practice it; or you can combine visual and reading/writing methods by presenting a diagram and then asking them to write a summary.
An example is when I share an inspirational video, I do not rush to the next topic. I need to take some time to discuss points gotten from the video. In fact, getting them to share their views creates an opportunity to gather valuable information that you may not notice if you had just watched the video alone.
Finally, you should evaluate and adjust your coaching strategy based on your client's feedback, progress, and results. You should ask your client regularly how they feel about your coaching methods, what they like or dislike, what they find helpful or challenging, and what they suggest for improvement. You should also monitor their performance, behavior, and outcomes, and see if they are meeting their expectations, milestones, and targets. Based on this information, you should adjust your coaching strategy accordingly, and try new or different methods that can help your client achieve their goals.
Coaching people with different learning styles can be a rewarding but challenging task. By following these tips, you can help your clients learn better and faster, and achieve their goals more effectively.
This is a fantastic approach to better coaching and support. It pays to be humble enough to ask for feedback. At the end of the day, our coaching is meant to have an impact, and if the target audience gets nothing, it becomes useless. Regular feedback is very vital. For example, I ask if the material is relevant and provides sufficient information to support them. I also ask if recommendations can be given in terms of how best I can provide support. I ask if my coaching methods help them get the necessary support they need. Asking the right questions at the right time is also very important.